FSU SGA: Interview with Student Senator Brandon Eisaman

By Jenna Case on June 19, 2012

As a student concerned with the welfare of Florida State University, I have always been interested in our Student Government Association. With that being said, I never really got around to actually joining, I’m a very busy person you know. Due to my unfortunate uninvolvement, I wasn’t really sure what was “up” with our student government. I was out of the loop. However, I got in touch with one of my friends who is currently holding a position—and has held previous positions—in our SGA. Student Senator Brandon Eisaman was kind enough to answer a few questions for me, helping to enlighten not only me, but any future prospective FSU SGA member.

1. What is your position in SGA?
I am a Student Senator for the College of Business; I am also Finance Committee Chairman.

2. What duties do your positions entail?
As a senator we vote on how to allocate the $13.3 Million SGA budget. Additionally, the Senate has Discretionary funds to spend on “Senate projects” and travel and programming expenses for student groups. As Finance Chair, I oversee all the preliminary meetings regarding money transfers, RSO* request money, and senate project money transfers.

3. What exactly does SGA do?
SGA is the elected representation of the FSU Student Body. Every student pays $13 per credit hour to cover Activity and Service fees. SGA personally delegates all $13.3 Million of that money to student groups, homecoming, concerts, the bus system, the Leach, Campus recreation, etc. (anything that is not academics). We also do our part to be representatives of the student body to the university, and local, state, and federal governments.

4. What have you learned or gained from being a part of FSU’s SGA?
I have learned so much about the political process, and how difficult actual politics is. It gave me a whole new respect for the legislators in government. It also gave me the opportunity to help manage a significant amount of money. For a junior Finance Major, I would not have been able to receive that much experience in any other venue. It really puts my future carrier into perspective.

5. Would you recommend it to anyone, or a certain type of person?
Becoming involved with SGA was the best decision of my college career. Student Government is an inclusive body. There is a place for every student in some facet of SGA, whether it be the legislative branch (Senate) or the executive branch (an agency, bureau, or affiliated body).

6. What do you believe the benefit of participating in SGA is outside of school?
It’s a great way to experience how people interact with others and how the political system actually is, whether it be a company or actual government. By learning how to interact with different people it can definitely prep you for your career. It also gives you hands on experience with money and event planning.

7. Do you have to be voted into a position to participate?
Depending on the position, you can be elected or appointed.

8. What fun activities do you guys do (as a club, for members, etc.)?
SGA has all kinds of fun activities that we put on. All the Student unions are funded through us, as are affiliated agencies, homecoming (Pow Wow and Warchant), tailgates, etc.

9. What all is SGA involved in (pertaining to campus events)?
Many RSO’s receive funding from Student Government, like Dance Marathon. But we also have specific programming put on internally for our students like Homecoming and tailgates. But SLC movies, Residence Hall programming, sophomore/junior/senior class programming, and Union events are also paid for by SGA.

*RSO=Registered Student Organization

Now that you’ve gotten up close and personal with what it’s really like to be in SGA, why don’t you go check it out for yourself? An Interest Form, Application, and List of Open Positions can be found at their website under the ‘Get Involved’ tab.